Bridal House

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

01992

Location

621-623 Hay St Perth

Location Details

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1898 to 1902

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 20 Dec 1985

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Classified by the National Trust Recorded 07 Aug 1978
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 YES 31 Dec 1999
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 13 Mar 2001 Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 2
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 2

Statement of Significance

The place is a good example of a three-storey commercial building exhibiting the characteristics of the Federation Romanesque style, which was not common in building design in the first decades of the twentieth century. It is representative of the type and form of commercial building in Perth CBD at that time. The place is part of a streetscape of landmark buildings mainly late nineteenth century with a small number of inter-war period buildings and a small number of mid twentieth century buildings. Together his collection of buildings, including Bridal House forms a precinct of strong aesthetic value. The place has historic value for its close association with many well-known families who significantly contributed to the commercial, cultural and social history and development of the City of Perth as well as the broader Western Australian community including the Sholl, Wilson and Masel families as well as individuals such as Brendah Barrye and businesses such as Perth Book Lovers Library. The place is associated with Wilson’s business that operated out of Bridal House (fmr Sholl’s Building) was a well-known and popular destination for the women of Perth and Western Australia and responsible for dressing many of the brides of Perth for over 40 years. The place is representative of commercial and retail activity in the central Perth CBD on the major retail street for over 100 years, and changes to the ground floor and basement represent changes in retail and activity in the CBD.

Physical Description

External - The place is of three storey construction with a small frontage and a single shop front at ground level. The shop front is modern with metal framed bi-fold doors allowing for a wide open entrance. Above is a cantilevered boxed awning with suspended signage below. It has a triangular pediment parapet atop a decorative cornice. To either side of the parapet is a pinnacle with a pier below. The windows to the second storey are two pier arches with sashes aligning below on the first floor. The piers continue through to the canopy. Internal - No internal access.

History

The building was constructed in 1896 for Edward Sholl (1854-1896), a prominent barrister and solicitor, and the building was known as Sholl’s Building. Sholl died before the building was completed. The architect or builder has not been determined however it is noted that in 1897, Fanny Sholl, Edward Sholl's widow, engaged architect Henry Trigg to design a residence in Peppermint Grove for her. The Bohemia Club advertised its occupancy of its new rooms in May 1898. The ground floor of the building was used for retail and office space and other businesses were located on the upper two floors and basement. The ground floor tenancy was occupied during the early 20th century by booksellers and the Book Lovers Library was located on the premises. The ground floor and basement of the building was occupied in the early 1900s by E.J. Norman a picture framer and the upper levels were leased as professional rooms. On the second floor was the Bohemia Club. Some of the other tenants include accountants, solicitor, tailors and dressmakers, dentist and real estate agent. The Sholl family sold the building in 1967. In 1954 the Wilsons leased the building, and bought it in 1967, and established Wilson’s Bridal and Dress Fabric store. All floors of the building were used for the business which was very successful. From the mid 1970s the building was known as Bridal House. The ground floor is used as retail, however the upper floors are not currently occupied.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Perth - CM321798/17 Hocking Heritage Studio (2017) Hay Street Mall Heritage Area Study
Building Style
R 720.9941 HER Heritage of Western Australia, (1989) pp 43 by Australian Heritage Commission
Conservation Plan Hay 621, Bridal House 621, Philip McAllister Architect 2019
1.36/621 COP Heritage Place File

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
11713 Bridal House (fmr Scholl's Building) 621 Hay Street Mall, Perth Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2019

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}
Present Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Romanesque

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall RENDER Smooth
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick

Creation Date

18 Apr 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

14 Jun 2024

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.